GOALKEEPERS

Injuries plagued Newcastle’s keepers, but when called upon the likes of Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow certainly delivered. Despite the struggle with the pair of serious knee injuries, United’s goalkeepers were solid and earned plaudits for their efforts.

DEFENDERS

Captain Fabricio Coloccini was handed a new contract at the start of last season – a mistake in most people’s eyes. Jamaal Lascelles started slowly under Steve McClaren, but under Benitez he was superb with many calling for him to be given the armband next term.

MIDFIELDERS

Gini Wijnaldum was superb at home and was the club’s leading scorer last season, but he went missing on away trips. Sissoko ended the season well but did not deliver often enough. January signing Andros Townsend was the star man in the run-in with a handful of goals – he was excellent.

FORWARDS

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Image: Lewis Arnold)

United brought Aleksandar Mitrovic in last summer but he failed to live up to the big-money transfer. Two rushes of blood to the head saw him sent off twice, but his all round play was actually quite good. He just didn’t find the net often enough. Papiss Cisse was linked with moves away last summer, has him time come to an end under Benitez next season?